Windfall for Camp Adair

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The reward will be two-fold for registered runners in this year's Ports of Auckland Round The Bays fun run and walk on March 10.

They will get to embrace the event while knowing they are helping a new generation of young people grow and enjoy the outdoors at Camp Adair.

The century old camp at Hunua is the YMCA's outdoor pursuits and education facility.

And it is among children's charities that will benefit from proceeds raised at the annual event.

The camp is popular with schools and is also used for holiday programmes to offer young people the chance to take part in challenging activities including high-ropes courses, climbing, kayaking, archery and tramping.

Former New Zealand Warriors and Kiwis rugby league legend Stacey Jones has visited as a parent helper with his own children.

He says seeing youngsters spend their first night away from their parents and overcome fears on the confidence course highlighted the camp's value.

"It's great to see kids develop and get a bit of their own independence," he says.

Camp Adair operations manager Dan Hedley says the $20,000 set to come from the fun run and walk will fund a new field camp facility and possibly a kitchen and ablution block.

The facility will provide a lower cost option for schools and groups that aren't able to afford camp fees.

"Some kids in our area just can't afford to attend," Mr Hedley says.

"This will mean schools that have found the cost prohibitive can still come."

Ports of Auckland Round the Bays is co-owned by Fairfax Media and its parent company Suburban Newspapers. It was started in 1972 by the Auckland Joggers Club and is one of the world's largest fun runs with nearly 40,000 registered runners and an estimated 70,000 participants.

The event starts at 9.30am and the entry fee is $10 for children (16 and under) and $15 for adults.